Search - Buddy Rich :: Tuff Dude

Good live septet session from early 80's on budget label

J. Levinson | Media, PA USA | 03/21/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a good live septet session recorded at Buddy's Place in the early 1980's. Rich's drumming is so powerful on the opener, "Donna Lee', that he virtually renders the sax soloist superfluous, as Buddy and Anthony Jackson could have carried the tune on their own. "Chameleon" finds him also pushing the band from behind, though the funky electric wah-wah on Jack Wilkins' guitar chords offers a stronger counterweight. Unfortunately, this track ends in a truncated fashion after only about 4 minutes of grooving. The recording is also a little murkier than the best technology of the day might have offered. Nevertheless, there are solos from Wilkins, Kenny Barron, Sonny Fortune, and Sal Nistico worth hearing, in addition to the leader's virtuoso performance. Buddy Rich - Drums
Sonny Fortune - Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano)
Jack Wilkins - Guitar
Sal Nistico - Sax (Tenor)
Michael Abene - Piano, Keyboards
Kenny Barron - Piano
Anthony Jackson - Bass"